Fertility Preservation
Definition
Fertility preservation is a medical intervention aimed at preserving an individual's ability to conceive and have biological children in the future. It is often considered by people who face fertility-threatening treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or those who wish to delay childbearing for personal or medical reasons.
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Fertility Preservation Program
Fertility preservation has emerged as a crucial aspect of health care. It affords individuals facing medical treatments (such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy) that may compromise their fertility an opportunity to safeguard their ability to have biological children in the future. Fortunately, people who face a cancer diagnosis now have options to preserve their chances of one day having a baby with their own sperm or eggs. There are other circumstances in which people may pursue fertility preservation. These include conditions that may cause infertility, like endometriosis or diminished ovarian reserve , and those affected may also seek fertility preservation . People approaching their mid or late 30s may consider freezing their eggs to extend the window of time when they can conceive. Transgender individuals interested in becoming parents in the future may elect to freeze their sperm or eggs before they transition. Our Fertility Preservation Program encompasses a range of services tailored to meet one’s individual needs. At the heart of this program lies a commitment to empowering individuals with knowledge and understanding. It is designed to help people freeze their eggs, embryos, sperm, testicular tissue, or ovarian tissue for future use. This offers the chance to build a family when the time is right. The process starts with a consultation with a reproductive specialist, who will review a patient’s medical and reproductive history and provide direction, as far as testing and preservation options are concerned. Depending on the underlying motivation and the nature of the situation, options are reviewed. Options may include: Egg Freezing: This approach involves the use of hormones to stimulate the maturation of multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and frozen. This option can take a few weeks to complete. Embryo Freezing: Similar to egg freezing, hormones are used to mature multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and combined with sperm to generate embryos, which are then frozen. This can also take a few weeks to complete. Sperm Freezing: In most situations, sperm can be obtained through natural means, frozen, and stored for later use. In some situations, sperm is obtained by surgical means and then frozen. Testicular Tissue Freezing: Testicular tissue can be surgically obtained and then frozen. Sperm can be extracted from the tissue after thawing and used to fertilize eggs. Ovarian Tissue Freezing: When a medical condition leaves no time to freeze eggs, ovarian tissue can be surgically obtained. After treatment is completed and it is deemed safe to get pregnant, the tissue can be re-placed into one’s body. The reproductive specialist will work with patients and their other providers to afford them the opportunity for the most appropriate preservation option. This process can be stressful, and part of that stress may be financial. Our program is equipped to provide resources and guidance along these lines. Our coordinators revFertility Center
Patients seek us out when they encounter obstacles on their journey toward parenthood. Our Fertility Center offers a host of treatment options to individuals and couples who experience infertility or who need third-party assistance to have a baby. Our clinicians work with couples who experience infertility, as well as same-sex couples, individuals without partners, and transgender individuals . They also offer fertility preservation techniques to cancer patients and others who wish to put off pregnancy until the future, so that they may preserve their chances of one day having a baby using their own sperm or eggs. Our clinicians provide empathetic care while learning about each patient’s circumstances. They then tailor each patient’s treatment plan to suit their specific situation. Individualizing their care increases each patient’s chances of achieving their goal of parenthood. We offer several convenient locations, including a facility at Yale West Campus in Orange, Connecticut, that offers free parking. At the Fertility Center, our physicians, staff, and scientists all share our patients’ dreams of expanding their families. Our team of reproductive endocrinologists includes some of the world’s foremost experts on in vitro fertilization (IVF) , fertility preservation, endometriosis , and recurrent pregnancy loss . We’re also one of the few fertility centers in the U.S. to have a reproductive specialist with dual training in both male and female infertility. All registered nurses at the Fertility Center have received specialized training in IVF through the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Our team of financial coordinators works with patients to help them figure out how their health insurance covers costs relating to fertility treatments. They inform patients about this important information before anyone commits to undergoing any procedures, so that patients don’t receive unexpected fees. Coping with infertility may feel isolating at times, but our team of clinicians and staff will be there alongside you, providing you with support as well as treatment strategies. We do everything we can to help you get closer to realizing your goal of becoming a parent. Fertility Center success rate summary: Approximately 79% of new patients under age 35 achieve successful pregnancies after undergoing IVF. For new patients ages 35-37, the live birth rate is approximately 67.6%. For new patients ages 38-40, the live birth rate is approximately 46%. Learn more about our success rates .Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
Our Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Division specializes in aiding patients facing challenges with their reproductive abilities . We are committed to diagnosing conditions and guiding each patient through the available treatment options to help them realize their dreams of starting or expanding their family. We focus on diagnosing and managing endocrine disorders and other chronic conditions that hinder conception or the maintenance of pregnancy. Additionally, we assist patients in preserving their fertility before undergoing cancer treatments. Our expertise extends to supporting individuals without partners, same-sex couples, and transgender individuals in overcoming barriers to parenthood. With its globally recognized reputation, our academic health center is known for cutting-edge therapies and exceptional success rates. Our state-of-the-art facility is staffed by approachable clinicians, many of whom are esteemed experts in fertility treatment. Our clinicians deliver compassionate and personalized care tailored to our patients’ individual needs throughout their journey. Several of our clinicians have held or currently hold leadership positions in prestigious professional organizations, such as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), underscoring our commitment to excellence in the field of reproductive medicine. Our clinicians have contributed to over 1,000 scientific publications, significantly advancing the field. They have also authored the seminal reference book Speroff's Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility , which guides clinicians in providing comprehensive care to patients with infertility and reproductive disorders. With decades of experience treating patients and helping them achieve pregnancy, our clinicians are also dedicated to advancing research in their specialized areas. Their findings have led to the development of new diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, and innovative technologies, shaping and advancing the field of assisted reproductive technology. As research is integral to our practice, patients can access clinical trials conducted at our facility. Recognizing the emotional complexities associated with infertility, our clinicians offer empathy, support, and a celebration of successes, guiding patients through their challenges. Financial coordinators are available to clarify health insurance eligibility and costs, ensuring transparency and minimizing unexpected fees. The Yale Medicine Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Division offers specialized programs including: Endometriosis Program: We diagnose and treat endometriosis , addressing pelvic pain and infertility to improve pregnancy outcomes. Fertility Center: We offer an array of individualized treatment options for both women and men looking to start a family. Our physicians, staff, and scientists share our patients’